Beginning Excel: For adults, 2 p.m., North Independence Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 317 W. U.S. 24. Free, but registration is required, call 252-0950. Learn the basics about Microsoft Excel and how to format a simple spreadsheet.

KC’s Best Kept Jazz Secret – Millie Edwards: For adults, 7 p.m., Raytown Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 6131 Raytown Road. Free, but registration is required, call 353-2052. Millie Edwards, one of Kansas City’s best-kept jazz secrets! As a musician, she performs solo and as part of The Wild Women of Kansas City. She will transport your soul from its very depths to heights from which it will soar.

Resume Help with WorkExpress: For adults, 10 a.m., Raytown Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 6131 Raytown Road. Free, but registration is required, call 353-2052. A WorkExpress professional will be at the Library to help you write or update your resume on the first Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Pick up a Resume Creation worksheet at the Library prior to the program.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover: For all ages, drop off at 9 a.m. Feb. 7; event is 7 p.m. Feb. 8, Colbern Road Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 1000 N.E. Colbern Road, Lee's Summit. Free, but registration is required, call 525-9924. Drop off your friend at the Library the day before. Then come back the next day for a special program featuring a slideshow of their overnight adventures. Dolls and other toys are also welcome. One toy per child, please.

Using Evernote to Organize Your Genealogy: For beginners, 6:30 p.m., Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence. Free, but registration is required, call 252-7228. Discover the computer/tablet/smartphone application Evernote and its useful features that will help you keep your genealogy research organized.

KC Magic Man: For families with ages 3 and older, 7 p.m., Blue Springs North Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 850 N.W. Hunter Drive. Free, but registration is required, call 224-8772. Take a magical journey into the world of illusions with KC Magic Man Brad Lynn. Be prepared to be amazed by his magical feats using cards, coins, cups, and more.

Beginning Excel: For adults, 6:30 p.m., Blue Springs South Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 2220 S. Missouri 7. Free, but registration is required, call 229-3571. Learn the basics about Microsoft Excel and how to format a simple spreadsheet.

Getting to Know Our New Catalog: For adults, 6:30 p.m., South Independence Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 13700 E. 35th St. Free, but registration is required, call 461-2050. Need help using the new online catalog? Learn about all of the new features the Library has added to help you access the books and other materials you need and get the most out of your account.

The Book Stops Here – Presidential Book Group: For adults, 2 p.m., North Independence Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 317 W. U.S. 24. Free, but registration is required, call 252-0950. Join Doug Richardson, Chief of Interpretation and Visitors Services at the Harry S Truman National Historic site, for an exploration into the lives of the American presidents, their influence on history, and the events of their times.

Beyond Cable TV: For adults, 6:30 p.m., Grain Valley Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 101 S.W. Eagles Pkwy. Free, but registration is required, call 228-4020. Are you interested in saving money by getting rid of cable? Learn the different devices and services you can use to start cutting the cord today.

Researching Your German Ancestors: 6 p.m., Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence. Free, but registration is required, call 252-7228. Learn the basic methods for completing German genealogy research. A brief history of Germany and former German lands will be presented, as well as resources available at MGC and online.

Newspaper Databases at Mid-Continent Public Library: 2 p.m., Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence. Free, but registration is required, call 252-7228. Newspaper databases can be used to find genealogical information such as birth, marriage and death records, obituaries, probate cases, and interesting information about your ancestors’ lives. Learn about the different online newspaper databases accessible through MCPL.

Calico Cut-ups Quilt Club Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 14700 E. Truman Road, Independence. There is no admission fee, but donations will be accepted. For questions, call Carolyn Goans at 217-7739 or Becky Morrison at 308-3746. There will be between 80 and 100 quilts on display. There will also be a drawing for a Falling Leaves Opportunity Quilt, with tickets $1 or $5 for six, and $1 will purchase three tickets for a chance to win two large baskets full of quilting-related items.

American Red Cross Blood Drive: Beginning at 1 p.m., South Independence Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 13700 E. 35th St. Registration is required, visit www.redcrossblood.org. Eligible donors need to be at least 17 years old (16 with written parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and generally be feeling well the day of the donation. Call the Red Cross toll free with other eligibility questions at 866-236-3276. Allow an hour for your donation and bring any form of photo ID with you.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Hearing Health: For adults, 2 p.m., Blue Springs South Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 2220 S. Missouri 7. Free, but registration is required, call 229-3571. Did you know that more than 47 million Americans suffer from some type of hearing loss? Learn how many health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and obesity can affect hearing.

Introduction to Tatting: For adults, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9 and 16, Grain Valley Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 101 S.W. Eagles Pkwy. Free, but registration is required, call 228-4020. Learn to create beautiful open lace made by one basic stitch using a shuttle and thread. Class size is limited so close instruction can be provided. Please bring #10 crochet cotton thread and a shuttle.

Independence Garden Club meeting planned for Feb. 12: 6:30, 4th floor meeting room of the Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads, Independence. Vice President Linda Bassette will share a video highlighting the decorative, as well as culinary uses of herbs. Topics: Herb topiaries, creating an herb basket, herbal vinegars and growing fresh basil. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.

Calico Cut-ups Quilt Club Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Salvation Army Corps Community Center, 14700 E. Truman Road, Independence. There is no admission fee, but donations will be accepted. For questions, call Carolyn Goans at 217-7739 or Becky Morrison at 308-3746. There will be between 80 and 100 quilts on display. There will also be a drawing for a Falling Leaves Opportunity Quilt, with tickets $1 or $5 for six, and $1 will purchase three tickets for a chance to win two large baskets full of quilting-related items.

Special Nature Story Time – Valentines for Groundhogs: 11 a.m.-noon, George Owens Nature Park, 1601 Speck Road, Independence. Call 325-7115. Listen to stories around the fire, make groundhog valentines, give a Happy Valentine's Day present to the groundhog in the backyard and warm up with hot chocolate.

Let's Move! Saturdays in Blue Springs: Dance class, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Inspire Dance Center, 3719 S.W. U.S. 40; and open swim, noon-3 p.m., Family YMCA, 1300 Adams Dairy Pkwy. (adult photo ID needed. Kids 5 and under must have a parent in the pool. Parents must supervise kids for the duration of the event. Parents must accompany children under the age of 12.) Both activities are free.

Cooking Wild – Squirrel: For adults, noon-2 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs. Free, but registration is required, call 228-3766. Many Missouri hunters began with, and continue to hunt for one critter: Squirrels, which are plentiful and fun to hunt, and can make great table fare. Join us as we explore hunting, skinning and most importantly, cooking these bushy tails.

Night Navigation: For adults and ages 10+ when accompanied by a participating adult, 4:30-8 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs. Free, but registration is required, call 228-3766. This night navigation program is designed for people who have basic map and compass skills, and want to learn more advanced techniques.

African Violet Sale: Sponsored by the African Violet Club of Greater Kansas, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Loose Park Garden Center, 51st Street and Wornall Road, Kansas City. Admission is free. There will be many African Violets and other Gesneriads for sale.

Lewis and Clark in the Kansas City Area: 2 p.m., Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence. Free, but registration is required, call 252-7228. In June 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition spent three days at Kaw Point at the confluence of the Kaw and the Missouri Rivers. Hear the story of these adventure-packed days that included building a barricade against an Indian attack, court-martials for stealing whiskey, and celestial examinations to plan the trip upriver.

Xi Xi Sigma attend the Independence Chocolate Walk: 1 p.m. Then at 6 p.m., they'll attend the City Council Valentines Dinner and Dance at the Blue Springs Elks Lodge, where Lorna Hill will be honored as chapter Queen.

Alpha Omega Master attend the Valentine Dinner Dance: The event will honor queens from all the Independence chapters of Beta Sigma Phi. Call Louise at 796-6998.

Blue Springs Connections to its Early History: For adults, 2 p.m., Blue Springs North Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 850 N.W. Hunter Drive. Free, but registration is required, call 224-8772. Rhoda Harris settled with her husband, William, in the Blue Springs area in 1832. Re-enactor Barbara Hughes portrays this courageous and remarkable woman in a vignette highlighting her life.

Learn to square dance: 2 p.m., in Independence. Call 254-5305, Brad and Annette Davis. Free lessons will be offered for ages 8 and older. Have fun and meet new friends. Couples, families and singles welcome.

FEB. 12

MU Extension Series – Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: Beginning at 6:30 p.m., South Independence Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 13700 E. 35th St. Free, but registration is required, call 461-2050. Come to the library for two-hour CDSMP sessions once a week for six weeks. Classes are highly participative, during which mutual support and success will build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.

Teen Yoga: 6:30 p.m., Blue Springs South Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 2220 S. Missouri 7. Free, but registration is required, call 229-3571. Stretch, twist, and breathe your way to a strong body and mind as you learn the basic yoga poses. No experience necessary, just a willingness to laugh and try something new. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a towel or mat.

Social Security Planning 101: A Financial Education Workshop: Noon-1 p.m., Trails West Branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 11401 E 23rd St. S., Independence. Free. Call 701-3483. Join us for a financial education workshop on Social Security. Topics: Understanding the basics of Social Security; how to optimize your benefits; advantages of applying after full retirement age; how your benefits are calculated; how cost-of-living adjustments affect your Social Security.

Blind Date with a Book: For adults, 7 p.m., Colbern Road Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 1000 N.E. Colbern Road, Lee's Summit. Free, but registration is required, call 525-9924. What a mystery it will be! What book will you take home? Anything is possible on a blind date (with a book)! Come join us for bookish fun, prizes, and snacks.

Kids Lab: For ages 6 and older, 7 p.m., Colbern Road Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 1000 N.E. Colbern Road, Lee's Summit. Free, but registration is required, call 525-9924. Discover how you can bring science and technology to life.

Indexing Night at MGC: 6 p.m., Midwest Genealogy Center, 3440 S. Lee's Summit Road, Independence. Free, but registration is required, call 252-7228. Spend the evening indexing with friends and family! Indexing is gathering information from records in books and newspapers and putting the information into a database to make it electronically searchable. Participants may choose to index FamilySearch records or MGC obituaries. MGC staff will be available to answer questions throughout the evening.

Independence Garden Club meeting: 6:30, 4th floor meeting room of the Sermon Center, Truman and Noland roads, Independence. Vice President Linda Bassette will share a video highlighting the decorative, as well as culinary uses of herbs. Topics: Herb topiaries, creating an herb basket, herbal vinegars and growing fresh basil. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.

Conservation Kids – Missouri’s State Bird: For ages 7 to 13, 6:30-8 p.m., Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center, 1401 N.W. Park Road, Blue Springs. Free, but registration is required, call 228-3766. The eastern bluebird was officially designated our state bird in 1927. It was chosen because it was “common in Missouri” and “a symbol of happiness.” This little bird enchants us with its delightful song, non-aggressive manner and beneficial food habits. You can play a part in protecting our state bird by building a birdhouse to take home.

Beaded Rabbits: For adults, 7 p.m. Feb. 13 and 20, North Independence Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 317 W. U.S. 24. Free, but registration is required, call 252-0950. Learn how to create this cute little rabbit with beads. Join us for this two-part class. There is a one-time hands-on materials fee of $11.

Simple Steps to Starting Your Business: 6:30 p.m., South Independence Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 13700 E. 35th St. Free, but registration is required, call 461-2050. Explore what it takes to start a business with expert advice from the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Experienced SCORE volunteers offer an overview for starting a business, outline the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, identify the most profitable businesses, explore the key factors to start-up success, and cover the fundamentals of forming, organizing, marketing, and funding your venture.

Tuesday Family Fun – Art with Hearts, create your own masterpiece using hearts: Trails West Branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 11401 E 23rd St. S., Independence. Free. Call 701-3483. Bring your family to check out books. Stop by anytime between 5-7 p.m. and there will be an activity that everyone can enjoy.

Teens at the Library: 6:30 p.m., Blue Springs North Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library, 850 N.W. Hunter Drive. Free, but registration is required, call 224-8772. It’s your time to hang at the Library. Discover what we’ve planned just for you.

Public Skate: Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Pkwy., Independence. Cost, $5; $3 for 12 and under and 55 and older, non-residents add $1 to each price. Skate rental, $2. Call 795-7577, for skate times. Public sessions are open to skaters of all ages and skill levels. These sessions take place at various times and are usually two hours long.